Montebello - an apt description as the name means beautiful mountain in Italian - is considered by many to be Alexandria's premiere gated community, with an extensive array of award-winning amenities that are second to none.

Perfectly situated on 35 treed acres, just 5 minutes south of Old Town Alexandria, within a stone's throw of the Huntington Metro station - you can walk to Metro by private, gated path or the community shuttle will pick you up in front of your building - and near the Capital Beltway, Highway 1 and GW Parkway, all prominent commuter routes.

When the Montebello shuttle isn't shuttling residents to the Metro, it's dropping them off at area shopping centers three times a week. Traveling a little further than the local grocery store? Well, Montebello is just 5 miles south of Reagan National Airport.

Montebello offers year round resort living with an indoor pool and hot tub, a bowling center, his and her exercise rooms (the ladies enjoy a sauna while the men have a steam room), tennis courts and an outdoor pool.

The Community Center also offers a meeting room with large screen TV, ping pong tables, card playing room, a bowling center and a billiards room. Stop by just about any time and you'll see lively games of cards or bridge going on in this active, social community.

Hungry? Just stop by the full service cafe and bar...the food is terrific (I should know, I eat lunch there often and have enjoyed dinner there on more than one occasion) and when the weather is nice, there's a terrific outside deck. Don't feel like leaving your condo? Just call down to the restaurant...they'll bring your food to you. Seriously, does it get any better than that?

Also in the Community Center is a beauty salon, dry cleaning service, business center and convenience store.

Outside, you will find plenty of treed green space for walking, plus picnic tables and grills.

But it's Montebello's residences, located in four 15-story secure towers, that are the real treat here...ranging in space from 850 sf to 1,695 sf, from 1-3 bedrooms all with decks or balconies (open or enclosed, your choice), there are 11 different floor plans from which to choose.

And, if you need or want more space, many of the units are built to be combined, for truly spectacular residences. The hilltop location also means some pretty spectacular views: many of the residences overlook the Potomac River, the Capitol or many of DC's spectacular monuments.

So, if you are looking for the finest in condominium living in an unsurpassed location near all that Alexandria has to offer, with resort-like amenities and multiple transportation options, you need look no further thanMontebello.